Many people ask why their employer would dispute a workers’ compensation claim. Someone who has suffered an on-the-job injury may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. It seems like it should be a no-brainer – you have a serious accident at work, you get workers’ comp. But occasionally an employer may try to avoid giving an injured worker the benefits he or she deserves. Let’s look at some of the reasons an employer might try to dispute a workers’ compensation claim.
Employers may state the following reasons when they dispute a workers’ compensation claim:
Fault
The employer may claim that the worker was at fault.
Like every other state, Oklahoma has a no-fault workers’ compensation system. In most cases, it does not matter who caused the injury.
Timeliness
Employers may claim that the employee failed to report the injury or condition in a timely manner. Workers generally are required to notify employers within 30 days of the injury.
It’s important to report a work-related injury as soon as it happens. If an injury was caused by long-term exposure to harmful substances or by repetitive motions, report the injury or illness as soon as you are diagnosed. Keep records showing when you notified your boss.
Severity of Injury
Sometimes employers and employees will disagree about how badly the worker was hurt. This dispute could seriously affect the worker’s benefits.
If faced with this situation, one option is to make sure your medical records are thorough and up to date. A better option is to contact an Oklahoma workers’ compensation attorney.
Outright Denial
An employer may claim that a worker was not hurt at work. In fact, some may refuse to admit that their employee was injured at all!
Here again, reporting the injury or illness as soon as you know about it may be important to the success of your claim. Report it in writing and keep copies for your attorney.
Money
Employers usually don’t want to get hit with higher workers’ compensation insurance premiums. They may look for reasons to deny a claim just to save a buck.
Have you or someone you know been injured at work?
Preserve your rights and get the compensation you deserve. Contact Armstrong Law Firm, P.L.C. at once. Let our experienced attorneys navigate the confusing workers’ compensation system.
Call us today at (918) 582-2500 or complete the contact form online to request a free consultation.
FAQs About Why an Employer Would Dispute a Workers’ Compensation Claim
1. Can my employer deny my workers’ comp claim if the accident was my fault?
No. Oklahoma has a no-fault workers’ compensation system, which means it typically doesn’t matter who caused the injury—as long as it happened on the job.
2. What happens if I don’t report my injury right away?
You could lose your right to benefits. Oklahoma law generally requires injured workers to report their injury within 30 days, so it’s important to notify your employer as soon as possible and keep a record of the report.
3. What if my employer says my injury isn’t serious?
Disputes over injury severity are common. Be sure your medical records are complete and accurate, and consider consulting a workers’ comp attorney if your employer is challenging your claim.
4. Can my employer deny that I was even injured at work?
Yes, and some do. To protect yourself, report your injury in writing, include details like time and location, and keep copies. Documentation is critical to proving your claim.
5. Why would my employer try to deny my claim?
Employers may dispute claims to avoid higher insurance premiums or financial liability. Unfortunately, saving money is sometimes prioritized over doing the right thing for injured workers.